An average infant sleeps for 9-12 hours during the night and again for 2-5 hours in the daytime. However several external factors can lead to your baby spending sleepless nights. Sleep is crucial for a baby’s development and for parents’ well-being. Here are some common reasons why your baby isn’t taking enough rest:
1. Newborns (0 to 3 months old)
Issue: Newborns are still adjusting to a regular sleep pattern, often sleeping for short durations.
Solution:
- Be patient; it’s normal for newborns to wake up frequently for feedings.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- As newborns are adjusting to life outside the womb, they can take up to 11 weeks to develop a 24-hour sleep-wake cycle.
2. Babies (3 to 6 months old)
Issue: Sleep regression may occur around this age, disrupting your baby’s previously established sleep routine. They can start to sleep much later.
Solution:
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine.
- Avoid overstimulation before bedtime.
- Consider sleep training techniques if necessary.
- You can also try swaddling them to sleep but take necessary precautions in case they try to roll.
3. Infants (6 months and older)
Issue: Teething pain, developmental milestones and changes in routine can affect sleep. Infants need a total of 14 hours of sleep at this stage and can sleep for longer than 10 hours at night.
Solution:
- Offer comfort during teething.
- Create a soothing bedtime environment.
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule.
- If your baby is gassy or constipated, make sure to give them proper medication under professional guidance.
4. Other sleep problems at any age
Issue: Environmental disturbances, illness or hunger can disrupt sleep.
Solution:
- Address hunger by ensuring regular feedings. Also, make sure your baby isn’t thirsty.
- Keep the sleep environment quiet and comfortable.
- Monitor room temperature and adjust as needed.
- Try having a bedtime routine that calms the newborn, such as keeping the lights out, having a short bath before sleeping, etc.
5. Sleep problems after illness
Issue: Ill health can disrupt sleep patterns.
Solution:
- Be patient; your baby’s sleep will improve as they recover.
- Comfort your baby during any illness-related troubles. You can also consult your healthcare provider for better guidance in case of diseases.
6. Day-night confusion
Issue: Babies do not yet understand the difference between day and night.
Solution:
- During the day, expose your baby to natural light.
- Try to keep them awake for a little longer during the day so they naturally feel more sleepy at night.
- Change the daytime environment such that they don’t feel sleepy at all. If they sleep in a cold, dark environment, keep your mornings warm and lit up.
- At night, keep the environment calm and dimly lit which induces sleep.
Besides these tips, you can also focus on learning your baby’s signs of being sleepy. Some babies get fussy while some can start rubbing their eyes or even stare into the distance. When you notice this behaviour, immediately create an environment conducive to their sleeping.
Remember that slight sleep disruptions are quite normal in babies. You can consult your healthcare provider for further guidance on this and claim your dose of peaceful sleep too.
Sources:
Nationwide Children’s
Healthline
Medical News Today
